New College Worcester (NCW) is pleased to formally introduce its Trustee Governors, whose extensive experience across education, public service, social care, leadership and the vision impaired community helps support the college as we continue to provide outstanding specialist education for blind and vision impaired young people, as well as those with other special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Importance of Trustee Governors
Trustee Governors play a vital role in supporting New College Worcester and helping to shape the strategic direction of the college. Working alongside the Senior Leadership Team, they provide guidance, challenge and oversight, ensuring that NCW continues to deliver the highest quality education, care and opportunities for blind and vision impaired young people and students with other special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
As a specialist school and college with a unique national mission, NCW benefits enormously from trustees who are passionate about inclusion, equality of opportunity and empowering young people to achieve their ambitions. A strong and diverse Board of Trustees brings together a wealth of professional expertise and lived experience, helping to ensure the college remains ambitious, financially sustainable and firmly focused on the needs of the students and families it serves.
A Formal Introduction
Introducing the Trustee Governors, NCW Principal Rachel Perks said:
“I would like to formally introduce our Trustee Governors to the wider NCW community. As part of the Aequalis Trust family, NCW is benefiting from new opportunities for collaboration, shared expertise and partnership working, all of which help us continue to strengthen the exceptional education and support we provide for blind and vision impaired young people.
Trustees play a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of the college, offering support, challenge and guidance to ensure we continue to deliver the very best outcomes for our students. We are incredibly fortunate to have individuals with such a diverse range of skills and experiences, from education and specialist provision to public service, social care, leadership and lived experience of visual impairment. I am delighted to formally introduce Matt, Pete, Lyndall and Gary, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside them as we build on our strengths, embrace new opportunities and empower every young person to achieve their ambitions.”
Dr Matt Lamb
Dr Matt Lamb brings a lifelong commitment to education and public service to the Board of Trustees. Born in Birmingham and raised in both Essex and the Midlands, Matt studied Politics and History in Bristol before continuing his academic journey at several universities, including Birmingham, Greenwich, Worcester and Oxford. His studies culminated in a PhD from the University of Birmingham.
Matt began his career in education in 1997 as a part-time lecturer in A Level Politics at Worcester College of Technology. Over the next 28 years, he progressed through a variety of leadership roles while maintaining his passion for teaching. He served as Head of Department and Head of Faculty before establishing Central Saint Michael’s Sixth Form in West Bromwich in 2011.
As Principal, Matt led the college through a period of significant growth and success, retiring in 2025 after helping to build a thriving sixth form with more than 1,000 students. Throughout his career, he has remained passionate about ensuring all young people have access to high-quality education and opportunities, regardless of their background.
Away from education, Matt has dedicated many years to serving the local community. Having lived in Worcester since 2001, he served as a Worcester City Councillor for 14 years, held the roles of Deputy Mayor and Mayor of Worcester, and currently represents Dines Green and Grove Farm. His commitment to public service continues to be a defining feature of his work.
Pete Hylton
Pete Hylton has spent his entire career supporting children, young people and vulnerable adults.
His experience spans education, youth work, youth offending services, learning disabilities and physical disabilities. For 15 years, Pete worked for Ofsted in a variety of roles, including Inspector, Compliance Inspector and Team Manager, gaining extensive experience in quality assurance, safeguarding and educational standards.
Since leaving Ofsted in 2022, Pete has held several senior leadership positions within the private sector and is currently Managing Director of Courtyard Care, a specialist provider of residential care for children with complex health needs, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health needs.
Pete’s extensive leadership experience, alongside his understanding of specialist provision, care services and safeguarding, will be a valuable asset to NCW’s governance team.
Outside of work, Pete enjoys spending time with his dogs, building Lego and pursuing his goal of achieving a sub-25-minute Parkrun time.
Lyndall Bywater
Former NCW student Lyndall Bywater joins the Board with a unique perspective shaped by her own experiences of visual impairment and specialist education.
Blind since birth, Lyndall attended several specialist schools for blind and vision impaired children throughout her education, including New College Worcester. She remains a passionate advocate for specialist provision, recognising the significant impact such education had on her own academic success, confidence and independence.
Lyndall studied Modern Languages to Master’s degree level at the University of Kent and spent time living abroad in both Austria and France. Her professional career has largely been focused within the faith sector, including more than 20 years with The Salvation Army and over a decade working for the Church of England.
Alongside her professional work, Lyndall is a writer and radio broadcaster and plays an active role within her local community, helping to run a community drop-in centre and serving on several trustee boards.
Her personal insight into the benefits of specialist education for visually impaired young people, combined with her extensive experience in leadership, communication and community engagement, makes her a valuable addition to the Board.
Her hobbies include reading, playing VI tennis, practising the ukulele, needlework and enjoying tea and chocolate whenever possible.
Gary Hyndman
Gary Hyndman brings more than 30 years of experience working within the Sense family of services, with a particular focus on specialist education.
A qualified teacher with a specialism in multi-sensory impairment, Gary has dedicated his career to supporting children and young people with complex needs to achieve their goals and fulfil their potential.
Prior to becoming Principal of Sense College Loughborough in January 2023, Gary spent more than a decade as Principal of Sense College East. Throughout his career, he has been driven by a commitment to ensuring every young person receives the highest possible standard of education and support, regardless of the challenges they face.
Seeing students grow in confidence, develop their independence and achieve outcomes that prepare them for adulthood continues to inspire his work.
Gary’s extensive experience in specialist education and leadership will bring valuable expertise to NCW as the college continues to support students in developing independence, confidence and the skills they need for adulthood.
Looking Ahead
We are delighted to formally introduce Matt, Pete, Lyndall and Gary as members of New College Worcester’s Board of Trustees.
Collectively, they bring expertise in education, specialist provision, governance, safeguarding, public service, social care, leadership and lived experience of visual impairment. Their knowledge, experience and insight help strengthen the college’s strategic direction and support our continued commitment to providing outstanding opportunities for blind and vision impaired young people.
As NCW continues to develop as part of the Aequalis Trust, the experience and perspectives of our Trustee Governors will play a crucial role in helping us build on our strengths, embrace new opportunities and ensure the very best outcomes for our students.
We look forward to continuing to benefit from their experience, passion and dedication as we build an ambitious future for NCW and the young people we serve.
